Jamie Hepburn

15 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers to be the role of independent advocacy in relation to the Curriculum for Excellence.

Answer · Angela Constance: Participation of children and young people in learning and the life of the school is an important part of the new curriculum. For some children, the provision of advocacy services will be necessary in order to support their participation. Independent advocac…

15 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines independent advocacy.

Answer · Angela Constance: The term “independent advocacy” is defined under section 259(5) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. The act identifies that every person with a mental disorder (as defined under section 328) has a right to access advocacy services …

6 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what primary energy consumption was as a percentage of overall UK consumption for (a) oil, (b) natural gas, (c) coal, (d) nuclear energy, (e) hydro-electricity and (f) other renewable energy sources in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-1564 on 4 August 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/MAQASearch/…

6 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the primary energy consumption was for (a) oil, (b) natural gas, (c) coal, (d) nuclear energy, (e) hydro-electricity and (f) other renewable energy sources in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The information requested is not held centrally. Data on primary energy consumption for the UK as a whole is published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and available via the following web link http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/stati…

6 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-36681 by John Swinney on 26 October 2010, whether it will provide an update on what savings (a) are projected or (b) have been achieved for each local authority and public body as a result of the new public sector electricity contracts announced in i…

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government’s national electricity contracts now cover over 99% public sector demand, some 25,000 buildings. Most public bodies migrated to these contracts on an incremental basis between October 2009 and April 2010, the first full financial year …

30 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of students at each higher education institution has come from outwith Scotland in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Michael Russell: The information requested, on the proportion of students studying at each Scottish higher education institution who are from outwith Scotland, is contained in Table 1a (all levels of study) and Table 1b (undergraduate students only). The number of students s…

30 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of undergraduate students have come from outwith Scotland in each of the last 10 years and what comparative figures it has for students in each (a) other constituent part of the United Kingdom and (b) EU member state who came from elsewhere.

Answer · Michael Russell: The information requested on the proportion of students at UK institutions is contained in Table 1 (Table 2 also provides the associated number of students). Information for EU member states in not available on a comparable basis. Table 1: Undergraduate stud…

29 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of passengers travelling directly from (a) Helensburgh Central, (b) Glasgow Queen Street, (c) High Street and (d) Bellgrove to Edinburgh via the Airdrie to Bathgate rail link has been since the service started and how this compares with the estimated figure for the…

Answer · Keith Brown: This information is not held by the Scottish Executive.

29 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to monitor the number of passengers using the Airdrie to Bathgate rail link in comparison with the estimated figure for the service.

Answer · Keith Brown: We have asked ScotRail to monitor patronage figures on the Airdrie to Bathgate link and this work is currently underway.

28 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost will be of the proposed turnback facility at Croy railway station.

Answer · Keith Brown: The provision of a possible turn-back facility at Croy Station is one of the infrastructure enhancements currently under consideration as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvements Programme (EGIP). The current estimates are for project infrastructure costs …

28 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will pay annually to subsidise the proposed two-new-trains-per-hour service between Croy and Glasgow Queen Street stations, as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme.

Answer · Keith Brown: The provision of a possible turn-back platform at Croy Station is one of the infrastructure enhancements currently under consideration as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. In addition to Edinburgh to Glasgow journey time improvements, the n…

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the title deeds for private property are a matter of public record.

Answer · John Swinney: Title to private heritable property in Scotland is recorded in one of two national registers of land ownership namely the Register of Sasines and the Land Register of Scotland. The Land Register of Scotland covers more recent transfers of property ownership a…

22 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals of a determination by the Pensions Ombudsman have been heard by the Court of Session.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.

21 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the decision of the Malawi Government to expel the British High Commissioner will have an impact on people delivering aid and development programmes in Malawi run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government does not expect there to be any impact on people delivering aid and development programmes in Malawi, run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government funding goes directly to Scottish based charities …

21 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the decision of the Malawi Government to expel the British High Commissioner will have an impact on aid and development programmes in Malawi run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The Scottish Government does not expect there to be any impact on aid and development programmes in Malawi, run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government funding goes directly to Scottish based charities working with local…

21 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the current political situation in Malawi and the potential impact on aid and development programmes in Malawi run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government.   

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: I met with Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, on 10 June 2011, and reiterated Scotland’s commitment to the people of Malawi. There was solid agreement at the meeting that interventions channelled through Scottish NGOs should co…

20 Jun 2011 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the reported concerns of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce that any legacy for Scotland from the 2012 Olympic Games will be "absolutely minimal".

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations there are on the minimum space between a dwelling and a property boundary where the dwelling does not extend to the edge of the property; what guidance there is, and whether the regulations can be applied retrospectively.

Answer · Aileen Campbell: Planning legislation places no requirements on minimum space between a dwelling and a property boundary, though such considerations may be relevant to a planning authority when determining a particular application for planning permission. Scottish Government …

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what non-court action can be taken by a property owner whose title deeds allow a reasonable right of access to an adjacent property but who is denied this by the other property's owner.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: Individuals in dispute with their neighbours can, if both parties are willing, reach a private agreement to resolve the matter. If this is not possible, the use of a mediation service may help if both parties are willing to participate. Mediation can bring pa…

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what legal restrictions there are on the height that a hedge can be grown when it is at the boundary of an adjacent property.

Answer · Roseanna Cunningham: There are currently no legal restrictions in Scotland governing the height of hedges grown on the boundary of adjacent properties.

2 Jun 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support tourism in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

2 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the owners of the homes affected must unanimously agree a maintenance plan, or if a majority will suffice, when a maintenance order pertaining to a communally owned property is issued under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.

Answer · Keith Brown: Home owners are responsible for the maintenance of their property. Under Part 1 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, local authorities can issue a maintenance order requiring owners to prepare a maintenance plan to ensure houses are maintained to a reasonable …

8 Mar 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are being made for the amalgamation of the General Register Office for Scotland and the National Archives of Scotland.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: In <i >Scotland''s Spending Plans and Draft Budget 2011-12</i> last November, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced the amalgamation of the General Register Office for Scotland and the National Archives of Scotland, as part of our…

24 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what appeal process there is for people convicted of a driving offence who have had their driving licence revoked.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has no functions in relation to the appeal process for people convicted of a driving offence who have had their driving licence revoked. </p> <p >Transport is a reserved function of the UK Government and as such the Secretary of Stat…

24 Feb 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in its reviews of the future of policing and the fire and rescue service.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Two weeks ago we launched consultations on the future of our police and fire and rescue services. We want to build a consensus on how we can protect the frontline and improve services for the people of Scotland in the face of unprecedented cuts from Westminst…

23 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of proposed changes to autopsy services for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in any NHS board area.

Answer · Frank Mulholland: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is currently discussing issues raised by NHS Lanarkshire regarding the provision of post mortems in Wishaw General Hospital.</b></p>

22 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether proposed housing developments by a registered social landlord must receive planning permission before grant support to assist with construction costs can be awarded.

Answer · Alex Neil: It is possible for an award of grant to be made to a Registered Social Landlord to assist with construction costs prior to planning permission for the approved project having been granted. In all such cases the formal offer of grant would contain an essential…

18 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the North Sea sector boundary between Scotland and England as defined in the Scottish Adjacent Water Boundaries Order 1999.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Executive approached the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2009 seeking a review of the boundary. At that time Defra indicated that they had no plans to review the boundary.</b></p>

18 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers the impact has been of the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999.

Answer · Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999 was controversially made under section 126(2) of the Scotland Act 1998, as part of the devolution settlement, in order to establish a boundary between the waters within British fishery limits that are adjacen…

15 Feb 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much gas from Scottish territorial waters has been landed at each terminal in Scotland in each of the last 10 years.

Answer · Jim Mather: The Department for Energy and Climate Change publish data on gas received at terminals in the UK which can be found on their website at the following link <a href="https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/information/info_strategy/index.htm">https://www.og.decc.gov.uk/info…